Use Permit Appealed – No Debris Day This Year
Over the past several months, we have been reporting on the status of the use permit applications for 203 Marin Avenue (Tam Valley Community Center) and 305 Bell Lane (main office/corporation yard). We thought it wouldbe helpful to recap the process to date and provide the current status. Unfortunately, the use permit for 305 Bell Lane has been appealed again. As a result, TCSD will be unable to hold a Debris/Shred Day this year.
Background
TCSD submitted two (2) use permit applications to the County of Marin for 203 Marin Ave (Tam Valley Community Center) and 305 Bell Lane (TCSD main office and corporation yard) to allow TCSD to continue to provide services and community events for its residents. The applications were in response to threatened litigation against TCSD by a neighboring resident (note: the resident has since filed suit), and a code enforcement action triggered by a resident’s anonymous complaint.
Specifically, the use permit application for 203 Marin Ave. will allow TCSD to continue to have bands (amplified outdoor music) at Creekside Fridays, Oktoberfest, and Earth Day events at the Tam Valley Community Center. The use permit application for 305 Bell Lane will allow TCSD to continue to offer Debris Day twice a year and an annual Household Hazardous Waste Day (HHWD).
Use Permit 203 Marin Ave. APPROVED
On March 5th,the Tamalpais Design Review Board (TDRB) considered the use permit application and recommended approval to the County Deputy Zoning Administrator (DZA). TDRB makes advisory recommendations to the DZA, who makes decisions regarding use permit applications among other thing.
On June 16th , the County Deputy Zoning Administrator approved the use permit to allow TCSD to hold specific events (e.g., Creekside Fridays) with amplified music at the Community Center. No appeal was filed. As a result, we can plan for the upcoming Oktoberfest on Saturday, September 20th.
Use Permit 305 Bell Lane APPEALED
On March 5th,the Tamalpais Design Review Board (TDRB) considered the use permit application and supported Debris Day and HHWD, but wanted TCSD to meet with neighbors on other issues. In response to community and TDRB comments, as well as to provide more clarity on its request, TCSD revised the use permit application to remove references to existing operations and, solely focused on the request for two Debris Days and one HHWD.
On June 16th , the County Deputy Zoning Administrator (DZA) approved the use permit to allow Debris Day and HHWD. However, Mr. Gervais (303 Bell Lane) appealed the decision to the County Planning Commission.
At the public hearing on August 4th, the Planning Commission denied the appeal and sustained the DZA approval. However, Mr. Gervais has appealed the Planning Commission decision to the Marin County Board of Supervisors (BOS). The meeting date is set for November 4th at the Marin County Civic Center. The weekly newsletter will provide more information as it becomes available.
Support for the applications
Thank you to the over 800 people who e-signed or signed the on-line letter of support for the two use permit applications. The letter of support and list signatures were included as part of the materials considered by the DZA and Planning Commission.
We also appreciated the many of you who attended the Tamalpais Design Review Board, DZA, and/or the Planning Commission hearings. We will continue to need your support at the BOS meeting.
For more information
The appeal and other background information can be accessed by clicking here .